CFP®-certified, college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Wilmington, NC
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
You might be planning for your child's education expenses or managing funds in a 529 plan or UTMA account. Without focused guidance, you could miss opportunities to optimize tax benefits or align savings with your family's timeline.
- Tax-advantaged account knowledge. Confirm how they navigate the specific rules and benefits of 529 plans and UTMA accounts to maximize your savings.
- Education cost forecasting. Ask how they estimate future education expenses and adjust your savings strategy accordingly.
- Investment strategy alignment. Ensure their approach matches your risk tolerance and the expected timing of college expenses.
- Coordination with financial goals. Check how they integrate college savings with your broader financial plan, including retirement and other priorities.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Brendan O
CFP®, Series 66
Wilmington, NC
LPL Financial
Brendan O'Kelly's 23 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide Wilmington families through college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. Operating within LPL Financial's large firm environment, he offers flat-fee financial planning and specializes in wealth management and tax-loss harvesting, providing a comprehensive approach beyond just education funding.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $399,489
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Steven S
CFP®, Series 66
Wilmington, NC
Counterweight Private Wealth
Steven Swierkowski is a CFP®-certified advisor in Wilmington, NC, specializing in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, with five years of experience and a focus on cash flow and budgeting. He works at Counterweight Private Wealth, which manages $168 million using a blend of fundamental and technical analysis, offering flat-fee financial planning that suits high-net-worth clients and integrates college savings with broader financial goals.
Experience: 5 years
Avg account: $2,381,462
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Peter S
CFP®, Series 66
Wilmington, NC
Shammas Financial Planning
Peter Shammas offers focused expertise in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by his CFP® certification and eight years of industry experience. Operating independently with a flat-fee structure, he provides limited-scope, project-based financial planning in Wilmington, NC, which may appeal to clients seeking clear, upfront costs and personalized attention without ongoing investment management.
Experience: 8 years
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Ashley D
CFP®, Series 66
Wilmington, NC
Lumina Wealth Management, LLC
Ashley Doyle's 20 years of experience and CFP® certification equip her to handle college savings strategies effectively, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, in Wilmington, NC. Her firm, Lumina Wealth Management, offers flat-fee financial planning ranging from $500 to $5,000 and integrates retirement and income planning, providing a comprehensive approach compared to advisors focusing solely on college savings.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $987,101
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Brian M
CFP®, Series 63
Wilmington, NC
Charles Schwab
Brian Mc Cormack's 32 years of experience and CFP® certification equip him to guide Wilmington families through college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts. At Charles Schwab, he serves high-net-worth clients with a 0.80% AUM fee, leveraging model portfolios and in-house research, which may offer more structured investment options compared to smaller firms.
Experience: 33 years
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